FALLSBURG - Tom Nolan, a 39-year-old teacher in the Ellenville Central School District, was arrested by the Liberty State Police in Port Jervis on Thursday morning and charged with rape in the third degree, and endangering the welfare of a child, a class E felony and a misdemeanor, respectively. The third degree rape charge is defined as someone over 21 engaging in sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 17. It's been reported that the person was a 16-year-old female student of Ellenville.

According to Senior Investigator Michael Orrego, the incidents were ongoing throughout the summer months of 2009 in Loch Sheldrake. Nolan is a resident of Loch Sheldrake, though it has not been released if the incidents took place at his home.

“We, in conjunction with the village of Ellenville police, received information that this was an ongoing course of conduct conducted by him,” said Orrego.

Ellenville Police Chief Phil Mattracion said that he was notified by School Superintendent Lisa Wiles that she was in possession of information regarding allegations against Nolan. At this point the police opened an investigation. When it was discovered that the alleged crimes took place outside of the Ellenville Police's jurisdiction, Chief Mattracion turned the department's information over to the State Police in Liberty.

The investigator said Nolan would be remanded to the Sullivan County jail, unless he could make bail, which was set at $25,000, after being arraigned in the Town of Fallsburg court.

“In cases like this of a sensitive nature, the investigation is ongoing,” said Orrego.

When asked about Nolan's job status, School Superintendent Lisa Wiles said on Wednesday that Nolan was still employed by the district as of that day. On Thursday, after the arrest, Wiles sent out a press release informing that Nolan had been placed on paid administrative leave.

According to Chief Mattracion, if found guilty of rape in the third degree, a defendant could face between half a year to four years in prison, in addition to having to register as a sex offender. If found guilty of the misdemeanor child endangerment charge, a defendant could face up to a year in prison.

Nolan, a social studies teacher, was the coach of girls' basketball and golf at Ellenville High School.